Methods and apparatus for a themed drinking vessel with theme

ABSTRACT

A themed drinking vessel according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise one or more themed elements disposed along a holding portion of the themed drinking vessel. The themed drinking vessel may generally comprise a bowl configured to hold a liquid for drinking having an upper lip, or rim, and a base. A holding portion may be coupled to the bowl to allow a user to hold the themed drinking vessel during use. A foot may be connected to a portion of the holding portion an allow the themed drinking vessel to stand upright when not in use. A themed element is disposed along a section of the holding portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

There are many types of drinking vessels. Human use of drinking vessels extends beyond memory, tradition or recorded history. Like painting or poetry, drinking vessels may be used as a form of expression or assertion of a user's personality, feelings or ideas, demonstrating the uniqueness of a user. A themed drinking vessel allows a user to individualize or personalize their drinking vessel.

SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

A themed drinking vessel according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise one or more themed elements disposed along a holding portion of the themed drinking vessel. The themed drinking vessel may generally comprise a bowl configured to hold a liquid for drinking having an upper lip, or rim, and a base. A holding portion may be coupled to the bowl to allow a user to hold the themed drinking vessel during use. A foot may be connected to a portion of the holding portion an allow the themed drinking vessel to stand upright when not in use. A themed element is disposed along a section of the holding portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present technology may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 representatively illustrate a themed drinking vessel with a theme disposed on a holding portion in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 2 representatively illustrates an alternative embodiment of a themed drinking vessel with theme in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 3 representatively illustrates an alternative embodiment of a themed drinking vessel with a theme disposed along a handle portion in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 4 representatively illustrates an alternative embodiment of a themed drinking vessel with a theme disposed along a handle portion in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 5 representatively illustrates a method of manufacturing a themed drinking vessel with theme in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 6 representatively illustrates a process step of drilling a hole in a theme in accordance with an exemplary method of manufacturing of the present technology;

FIG. 7 representatively illustrates a process step of filling the interior of the theme with an adhesive material in accordance with an exemplary method of manufacturing the present technology;

FIG. 8 representatively illustrates a process step of affixing a lower portion of the holding portion to an interior of the theme in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology; and

FIG. 9 representatively illustrates a process step of affixing an upper portion of the holding portion to an interior of the theme in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technology.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in a different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present technology may employ various types of materials and connection devices for manufacturing the themed drinking vessel. In addition, the present technology may be practiced in conjunction with any number of drinking vessels, and the system described is merely one exemplary application for the technology. Methods and apparatus for a themed drinking vessel with a theme according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with any suitable materials such as glass, plastic, ceramics, stainless steel, or other natural or synthetic materials.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 , a themed drinking vessel 100 may comprise one or more themed elements disposed along a holding portion of the themed drinking vessel 100. For example, and referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a themed drinking vessel 100 may generally comprise a bowl 102 configured to hold a liquid for drinking and having an upper lip and a base, a holding portion 104 extending downwardly from a lowermost portion of the bowl 102 at a first end, a foot 110 connected to a second end of the holding portion 104 and a theme 112 disposed along a section of the holding portion 104. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , in another embodiment, the themed drinking vessel 100 may comprise a bowl 102 having a lip and a base, a holding portion 104 affixed to a portion of the bowl 102, wherein the holding portion 104 comprises a first end and a second end, and a theme 112 disposed along a section of the holding portion between the first end and the second end. The holding portion 104 may be affixed to the bowl 102 at any suitable location. In one embodiment, the first end of the holding portion 104 may extend downwardly from the base of the bowl 102 (not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the first end of the holding portion 104 may protrude from an upper side of the bowl 102 and the second end of the holding portion 104 protrudes from a lower side of the bowl 102.

The holding portion 104 is configured to receive or otherwise hold the theme 112 in a fixed position between the first and second ends. For example, and referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2 , in one embodiment the holding portion 104 may be configured in two pieces comprising an upper portion 106 extending between the base of the bowl 102 and the theme 112 and a lower portion 108 extending between the theme 112 and the foot 110. In an alternative embodiment, the holding portion 104 may comprise a single piece stem that extends through the theme 112 from the first end to the second end.

The bowl 102 of the themed drinking vessel 100 may comprise any suitable shape or size. For example, the themed drinking vessel 100 may be shaped as any desire type of drinkware such as a cup, wine glass, martini glass, champagne flute, a mug, and the like. The themed drinking vessel 100 may also comprise any of a number of sub-sets of a particular type of drinkware. For example, the themed drinking vessel 100 may comprise different types of wine glasses having a specific shape such as those commonly used for red wine and white wine glasses. The themed drinking vessel 100 may comprise any suitable material. For example, the themed drinking vessel 100 may comprise glass, ceramic, acrylic, metal, plastic or any combination of any suitable organic or synthetic materials.

The theme 112 may comprise a decorative object or other ornamental feature. The theme 112 may comprise any suitable decorative object such as a figurine, ornament, organic or abstract shape, or any desired three-dimensional shape. In some embodiments, the theme 112 may comprise a ball used in athletics. For example, the ball may be selected from any number of balls used in various types of sports such as: a golf ball, a baseball, a softball, a basketball, a tennis ball, a lacrosse ball, a football, a soccer ball, a softball, and any other type of ball. The theme 112 may be constructed of any suitable material such as plastic, acrylic, glass, wood and the like by any suitable manner. For example, in one embodiment, the theme may comprise a real golf ball. In an alternative embodiment, the theme may comprise a smaller scale version of a baseball or soccer ball.

The theme 112 may be affixed to or otherwise attached to the holding portion 104 by any suitable method. In one embodiment, the theme 112 may be modified to receive various sizes of holding portions 104 and subsequently coupled to the holding portions 104 in any suitable manner. For example, the theme 112 may be bonded, glued with an adhesive, welded, embedded, or otherwise mechanically connected to the holding portion 104. In various embodiments, the theme 112 may comprise or be modified to comprise a hold or channel passing at least part way into a body of the theme 112 to allow the holding portion 104 to be affixed to the interior of the theme 112 by an adhesive material. In some embodiments, the theme may be printed directly onto or around the holding portion 104 using 3D printing. In some embodiments, the entire themed drinking vessel 100 may comprise a single piece printed using 3D printing.

In another embodiment, the holding portion 104 may comprise a single piece and the theme 112 may comprise two or more pieces configured to be coupled together around the holding portion 104 and affixed in place by an adhesive or epoxy. In some embodiments, the holding portion 104 may comprise two or more pieces. For example, referring to FIGS. 6-9 , the theme 112 may comprise a ball with a hole or channel disposed through the ball that comprises a diameter selected to receive the upper portion 106 and the lower portion 104 of the holding portion 104. An end of each of the upper portion 106 and the lower portion 108 may be inserted into the hole 702 and affixed to the interior of the theme 112 by an adhesive material.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate a method of manufacturing a representative embodiment of the present technology. In various embodiments, a method of manufacturing a themed drinking vessel 100 may comprise coupling a theme 112 to a holding portion 104 of a drinking vessel. The holding portion 104 may be cut at a suitable location into a lower portion 108 and an upper portion 106 (502). The holding portion 104 may be cut by any suitable process. The theme 112 may then be modified to receive the holding portion (504). For example, a drill 602 may be used to drill a hole 702 or cavity through the theme 112. The theme 112 may then be filled with adhesive material 704 (506). The upper portion 106 and the lower portion 108 of the holding portion 104 may be inserted into an interior of the theme 112 to couple the portions to an interior of the theme 112 and/or one another (508).

The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Although embodiments of the present technology have been described with reference to a drinking vessel, the technology should not be viewed as being limited in that respect. As would be familiar with one of ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings of the present technology, the subject matter could also be used with other types of holding portions or drinking vessels.

The description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the components and/or elements recited in any apparatus embodiment may be assembled or otherwise operationally configured in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present technology and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the specific examples.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same. Any terms of degree such as “substantially,” “about,” and “approximate” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.

The present technology has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology, as expressed in the following claims. 

1. A themed drinking vessel, comprising: a bowl having a lip and a base; a holding portion extending downwardly from a portion of the bowl at a first end; a foot connected to a second end of the holding portion; and a theme disposed along a section of the holding portion between the base and the foot.
 2. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the theme comprises a decorative object.
 3. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 2, wherein the decorative object comprises a ball.
 4. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 3, wherein the ball is selected from the group consisting of a golf ball, a baseball, a basketball, a tennis ball, a lacrosse ball, a football, a soccer ball, and a softball.
 5. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion comprises: an upper portion extending between the base and the theme; and a lower portion extending between the theme and the foot.
 6. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 5, wherein: the upper portion of the holding portion extends into an upper surface of the theme; the lower portion of the holding portion extends into a lower surface of the theme; and the upper and lower portions are affixed to an interior of the theme by an adhesive material.
 7. A themed drinking vessel, comprising: a bowl having a lip and a base; a holding portion affixed to a portion of the bowl, wherein the holding portion comprises a first end and a second end; a theme disposed along a section of the holding portion between the first end and the second end.
 8. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 7, wherein the theme comprises a decorative object.
 9. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 8, wherein the decorative object comprises a ball.
 10. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 9, wherein the ball is selected from the group consisting of a golf ball, a baseball, a basketball, a tennis ball, a lacrosse ball, a football, a soccer ball, and a softball.
 11. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 7, wherein the first end of the holding portion extends downwardly from the base of the bowl.
 12. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 11, wherein the holding portion comprises: an upper portion extending between the base and the theme; and a lower portion extending between the theme and the second end.
 13. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion and the lower portions of the holding portion are affixed to an interior of the theme of the theme by an adhesive material.
 14. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 7, wherein the first end of the holding portion protrudes from an upper side of the bowl and the second end of the holding portion protrudes from a lower side of the bowl.
 15. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 14, wherein the holding portion comprises: an upper portion extending between the upper side and the theme; and a lower portion extending between the theme and the lower side.
 16. A themed drinking vessel according to claim 15, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the holding portion are affixed to an interior of the theme of the theme by an adhesive material.
 17. A method for manufacturing a drinking vessel with a theme, comprising: cutting a mid-section of a holding portion of a themed drinking vessel into an upper portion and a lower portion; filling the theme with adhesive material; and inserting the upper portion and the lower portion of the holding portion into an interior of the theme.
 18. A method for manufacturing a drinking vessel with a theme according to claim 17, further comprising modifying the theme to comprise a channel passing into the interior of the theme.
 19. A method for manufacturing a drinking vessel with a theme according to claim 18, wherein modifying the theme comprises drilling a hole at least part way into the theme. 